Trial postponed for ousted Egyptian president Mubarak

CCTV News

In Cairo, the final trial of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak began without him – then was swiftly postponed.
For safety reasons, security forces are reluctant to move the former leader to court.

CCTV’s Adel EL Mahrouky filed this report from Cairo.

Trial postponed for ousted Egyptian president Mubarak

Trial postponed for ousted Egyptian president Mubarak

In Cairo, the final trial of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak began without him - then was swiftly postponed.

Justice Ahmed Abdel Kawi announced the delay, sparking anger among the supporters of Mubarak. The trial was originally scheduled for November, but security forces have said it’s not safe bringing him into central Cairo. All his previous trials have been held at the highly secure Police Academy in the city.

“The Judge must listen to his defense,” Othman al Hefwany a civil rights lawyer said. “That’s the third time this trial gets delayed. And until the last minute today, we were not sure where will the trial be held.”

This final trial is currently taking place at the court of cassation, which is Egypt’s High Court. It’s protocol to have the defendant at this court, and many Egyptian judges say Mubarak shouldn’t be an exception.

The trial has now been delayed to November this year. It’s the longest postponement so far in the Mubarak trial. But the court has now decided to look for a suitable, more secure venue to hold the trial.